skeg
shipbuilding
Quick Summary
In shipbuilding, a skeg is a stern extension of a ship's keel. Its primary functions are to help the vessel maintain a straight course and to protect the propeller and rudder from underwater hazards. The keel itself is the central structural component, or backbone, of a ship's hull, running from the bow to the stern. A skeg is specifically the part that connects the keel to the bottom of the rudderpost on a single-screw ship. This feature is crucial for steering and stability, particularly in certain boat designs.12
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